What's the best war movie ever made?

[cool45auto]

I vote "Saving Private Ryan".

 

[Diamondback]

There are many excellent choices nominated but the one war movie I have seen that has never lost its impact on me is "Sargeant York"..... as a result of that movie I have never been able to look at war as anything but a bloody, horrible exercise in mass murder that is to be undertaken only when all diplomacy has failed. Gary Cooper's performance of a conflicted soldier who finds himself in a war lead by commanding officers committed to the suicidal tactics of trench warfare is masterful. War has held no romance for me since I saw "Sargeant York" in my teens. Honorable mention goes to "Red Badge of Courage" and "Blackhawk Down" and of course, "We Were Soldiers" !

 

[Beetle Bailey]

Uh, Preacherman, does Band of Brothers count? It's something that I would want my children to watch when they grow up (if and when I have any kids ). I think I have seen every movie on this list except for Gettysburg and Gods and Generals , and to me BoB has everything and more of it than any of the others, as good as those others are. When I watch a movie, I want to see what it says about humanity, and I think you have everything in BoB, or at least everything that would be appropriate.

If BoB doesn't count then I guess the best would be Casablanca .

 

[Ala Dan]

In order:

1) Hamburger Hill

2) Full Metal Jacket

3) Gardens Of Stone

4) Firebase Gloria

5) Platoon

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Jackthelad]

The Young Lions with Marlon Brando.

 

[BuckeyePPC]

Pork Chop Hill with Gregory Peck. And in the spirit of this threads multiple choices. 12 O'Clock High with the same Gregory Peck.

 

[Josey]

The Wind and the Lion. Best background of diplomacy, compromise and finally getting PO'd enough to take punitive action I know of. It covers all sides. You end up confused, unsure of who the good guys are and outright questioning the purpose of combat. Realistic. Cast is excellent. Weapons are correct and proper period. Squad tactics are accurate also.

 

[spazz45]

Hands Down

The Patriot.

 

[BamBam-31]

Can I play?

Band of Brothers is a masterpiece. Movie or not, it deserves top spot in my book.

Besides the greats already mentioned above, I'd like to add:

Gallipoli
The Lighthorsemen
The Winter War
The Last Samurai

 

[Josey]

The Last Samurai? FUNNY!!! Pure fiction. The US was NOT even considered a source of knowledge or supplier of combat weapons in that time period. The USA was behind the times. No offense meant, it is totally hollyweird.

 

[BamBam-31]

Oh, crap. Just read Preacherman's first post. Didn't know historical accuracy was primary criteria.

The Last Samurai is based on some historical fact, but it is mostly hollyweird. Strike it from my list, then. Sigh....I loved that flick.

 

[Ron_Miami]

My all time favorite is They Died With Their Boots On with Errol Flynn.

Also up there is Patton.

 

[MeekandMild]

Detritus, one can only pack so much history into one film. That is why I have always liked reading mmore than watching movies, though I am still a movie fan.

 

[shooten]

Sands of Iwa Jima
Black Hawk Down
Siege of Firebase Gloria
Navy SEALS is pretty good.

Sorry Preacherman, I can't pick just one...

Scott

 

[jfh]

1) original 'All Quiet....'
2) Red Badge of Courage
3) Apocalypse Now

 

[entropy]

Darn, just one, huh? There are so many good ones....

Band of Brothers takes it, IMNSHO.
And Beetle, I did make my kids watch it last week, and discussed the meaning and importance of Memorial Day with them during the commercials... and dicussed unit tactics with my 10 yr. old son during the battle scenes! That's my boy!

 

[Daniel]

I've always liked The Seven Samurai. That’s my nomination.

 

[MaterDei]

Since BoB is not technically a movie, I'll vote Gallipoli.

 

[ID_shooting]

OK, no one has mentioned it so I guess I will have to:

The Big Red One.

Not great "effects" by today's standards but still good enought for me. Besides, Mark Hammil makes a good snot-nosed fumbling private, more believalbe than an all galactic Jedi Knight at any rate. Of course, Lee Marvin is just good in any war movie.

My opinion my be jaded though, it was close to mandatory viewing when I was stationed in Ft Riley

 

[Johnpl]

"Bridge on the River Kwai"...

Sir Alec Guiness does a great job portraying a officer conflicted about his "duty". William Holden is great as the reluctant American.

The last line of the movie: "Madness...madness."

 

[hansolo]

I'm with Threefeathers:

"Battleground" .........my Dad wrote the screenplay based on his experiences in WWII: Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge. No "slam" on
other writers, but my Dad was THERE as an Infantry Sergeant with the treebursts, frostbite, etc. I admit that I'm biased!

 

[paladyn]

Battleground, a film made in the 1950s about the Battle of the Bulge was pretty impressive.

 

[threefeathers]

We all have those experiences that shape our lives. My Dad was wounded badly on D-Day with the 82nd and spent 7 years in the VA hospital at battle Mountain S Dakota. I saw Battleground in a small theater filled with vets from that hospital. I went home and played army, then 10 years later enlisted in the infantry. I went to Berlin and was there when the wall went up. Went to college graduated with a degree in Asian Studies and volunteered for Vietnam. Then remained a 19 Delta for 24 years divided between Regular and Reserve service. I also worte a novel based on my military experiences and Doug Stewart (Officer and a Gentleman has it from my agent) all because your Dad wrote of his experiences. Thank you, and thank him.

 

[seldomseen]

It's not the best movie I have ever watched, but since no one else mentioned it, I will. Memphis Belle was a pretty good WWII movie. Don't know how accurate it was historically, but it certainly held my attention when I watched it.

 

[Joey2]

Art Eatman,

Your father nailed it. The smell, screams and the taste of fear in your throat cannot be reproduced on the screen.